Cataract Surgery Implants and Photography

[MikeInMI]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

 

[PCRATE]

My eye doctor says I have the very beginnings of cataracts. But my close vision has gotten to the point I was right at the end of the in-camera diopter adjustment on my Nikon D750. I simply bought the diopter correction deals that attach to the eyepiece and now the in-camera adjustment dial is back to about midway. When adjusting the diopter setting on the camera all you need to do is adjust so that any settings readouts like shutter speed and aperture are sharp. diopter eyepiece settings don't affect the focus that the lens projects on the sensor. all the diopter adjustment does if gives your individual eye a sharp view of the viewfinder. Hope that helps.

 

[Maurie_S]

Hi Mike,
I had cataract surgery 3 years ago. I had my right eye ( my master eye) prescription set for distance and my left eye set for arms length,
I no longer need glasses for anything other than the tiniest of tiny print. Reading newspapers camera menus etc are a piece of cake !!
It does sound amazing that 2 different prescriptions do not confuse your sight . but the brain ( even mine ) works it all out, and welcome to a world with no glasses !!!.

 

[MikeInMI]

Hi Mike,
I had cataract surgery 3 years ago. I had my right eye ( my master eye) prescription set for distance and my left eye set for arms length,
I no longer need glasses for anything other than the tiniest of tiny print. Reading newspapers camera menus etc are a piece of cake !!
It does sound amazing that 2 different prescriptions do not confuse your sight . but the brain ( even mine ) works it all out, and welcome to a world with no glasses !!!.

This is very helpful. If I'm understanding correctly, you look through the viewfinder with your right eye, which has been corrected for distance? And then you can see the camera settings in your viewfinder + the subject (in the distance) through your viewfinder and both look in focus??

 

[Fiat]

This is very helpful. If I'm understanding correctly, you look through the viewfinder with your right eye, which has been corrected for distance? And then you can see the camera settings in your viewfinder + the subject (in the distance) through your viewfinder and both look in focus??

My question too!

 

[JAJohnson]

Mike, there have been a couple of threads more or less on this topic. There might be something helpful in them. I had cataract surgery some years ago and a touch up in one eye eight months ago. When I had the original procedure done, I didn't need to change the diopter setting at all on my DSLR.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery Over the past 5 years my cataracts had been getting progressively worse. I was reluctant to get surgery because I only have one good eye, my right one. The left eye was at best 20/60 with glasses and that was before cataracts developed. It reached the point where driving at...

bcgforums.com

Cataracts & Photography #2

Please forgive me for starting another thread on this topic, but I’d like to ask anyone who has had cataract surgery recently about what lens implant you opted for, and what your specific outcomes were. I’d be especially interested in hearing from anyone who may have moderate astigmatism. I just...

bcgforums.com

 

[Ralph]

I'm evaluating different lens implant options as I consider cataract surgery. Some lenses correct for near; others for far; and one potentially does it all (but quite expensive). My question is if I am corrected for distance, I potentially won't be able to read the settings in my viewfinder? Yes, there is a diopter adjustment on the viewfinder (Sony A1), but it changes the focus of both the subject I am shooting and also the camera settings around the sides of the image. Can someone who has had cataract surgery/implants give me some guidance on how they dealt with this? I will be seeing the eye surgeon in about a month, so I'm trying to do a lot of homework so I am prepared to have a knowledgeable discussion with the doctor. Thanks in advance for any perspectives you can share.

I had cataract surgeory last September-October. I have no problem reading viewfinder data. I can also read the LCD screen on top of the camera with no problem. I only use my readers for reviewing images on the back LCD. I have the monofocal lenses. They work great for me. In really good light I can also read print without the readers.

 

[John Navitsky]

no specific recommendations, but i've been following along with this topic as i'm starting to develop cataracts.

one thing i seemed to pick up when reading about it is that your natural lenses have some ability to bend on demand to adjust focus so you can see both close and far, but iirc, the replacement lenses generally don't, so if you get good far vision you likely will need readers for close up (or vice versa).

it did sound like there were some emerging options that may change this, but it didn't seem like they were quite here yet, and even if they were, they'd be new and unproven.

personally, as a long time nearsighted person, i find it much more problematic not being able to see close. i often remove my glasses to examine something close and i'd rather not have to put glasses on to see my phone or read something, but ymmv

 

[Maurie_S]

This is very helpful. If I'm understanding correctly, you look through the viewfinder with your right eye, which has been corrected for distance? And then you can see the camera settings in your viewfinder + the subject (in the distance) through your viewfinder and both look in focus??

Absolutely , no problem, all in focus.

 

[Maurie_S]

no specific recommendations, but i've been following along with this topic as i'm starting to develop cataracts.

one thing i seemed to pick up when reading about it is that your natural lenses have some ability to bend on demand to adjust focus so you can see both close and far, but iirc, the replacement lenses generally don't, so if you get good far vision you likely will need readers for close up (or vice versa).

it did sound like there were some emerging options that may change this, but it didn't seem like they were quite here yet, and even if they were, they'd be new and unproven.

personally, as a long time nearsighted person, i find it much more problematic not being able to see close. i often remove my glasses to examine something close and i'd rather not have to put glasses on to see my phone or read something, but ymmv

I am sorry but you are wrong !! The "emerging options" have been around for years, and are proven. Please see my earlier post #3

 

[JimC]

I had cataract surgery in the summer of 2023 in one eye followed by the second. Medicare covers either a lens for distance or near. I chose a lens that corrected for distance and intermediate (like the distance sitting in front of a computer monitor). I had to pay about $2000 per eye. Since I was used to wearing glasses, I have a prescription that has no distance correct, a slight intermediate correction and a correction for reading up close. It was a pain for me to sit in front of the computer and switch between reading glasses and no glasses.
I was told my choice of distance and intermediate has little to no side effect - such as glare. Whereas a lens correcting for distance, intermediate and near had a list of concerns, glare being one of them.
My choice has worked well for me and looking thru the view finder with no glasses on is great.

 

[Fishboy1952]

Hi Mike. I had cataract surgery in both eyes 10 years ago. I had both lens replacements set for distance. In addition to cataracts I have some moderate level of astigmatism which the lenses did not correct. Left eye is now 20/25 and right eye is 20/20. Far vision is great!
I wear readers for close work and I have absolutely no issue with the diopter settings on any of my cameras. I have a checkup with my ophthalmologist annually and so far no problems. This was far and away the best thing I ever did.

 

[Woody Meristem]

My cataract surgery was nine years ago, both implants are for distance. I have really severe astigmatism so I still wear eyeglasses all the time. The diopter adjustment in my cameras easily corrected for the change in my prescription after the surgery (my prescription hasn't changed at all since the surgery).

 

[Archibald]

Both of my eyes were done last year. My vision has improved a lot, and that makes me a safer driver. That is the most important thing.

I know a friend who had one eye done for near and one for far. My doc advised against that, and both were done for far. Now I have excellent distant vision and can legally drive without glasses. But the acuity is even better with glasses, so I always drive with glasses. I think I'm a safer driver now.

But of course I also need to be able to see near. For that I got bifocals with an ADD of 2.50. That gets me clear vision for very near distances, around a foot.

But those bifocals were not satisfactory for driving, because the instrument panel is at about 2 ft. So I got bifocals especially for the car - clear for night driving, and sunglasses for day. They work really well. Everything is sharp and I hardly notice what part of my glasses I'm using.

I also had prescription readers made for the intermediate distance. They are single focus and are for computer work and for reading music when I'm playing in the band.

All these glasses were ordered online with me calculating the prescriptions based on the prescription from the optometrist.

Now about photography. For distant subjects I just use the upper (normal) part of my regular bifocals and they work great with the camera viewfinder and with viewing the subjects. I can do settings on the LCD with the lower parts of the lenses, or in the viewfinder with the upper parts. I can use the same glasses for macro shooting. Camera use is as before, but they are not great for spotting subjects. So for bugs I usually use the computer/music glasses. I have to change the diopter on the camera when I do that. Those glasses hinder distant vision, but I can just take them off and get good distant vision if need be.

So by doing online shopping for glasses and doing some calculations and testing, I'm able to custom-make glasses as needed for specific requirements, for not that much money. It is awkward sometimes switching glasses and determining which is which, but the benefit is having sharper vision than I have had for many years.

 

[John Navitsky]

I am sorry but you are wrong !! The "emerging options" have been around for years, and are proven. Please see my earlier post #3

i didn’t mean getting different prescriptions per eye, i meant lenses that can bend like our young lenses did

but glad you found a good solution!

 

[Maurie_S]

i didn’t mean getting different prescriptions per eye, i meant lenses that can bend like our young lenses did

but glad you found a good solution!

Sorry, I did misunderstand, and thank you.

 

[MrFotoFool]

Mine was just under two years ago? I did what the eye specialists said most people do: go with the implant that matches what you normally are. I am nearsighted, which means I can see well close up but not at distance. So I got implants that match that; I can read without glasses, but need glasses for distance.

So I can see the menu settings on my camera no problem and for shooting subjects I set the camera diopter for my distance vision. The only minor convenience is I wear glasses for distance and have to slide them on top of my head when shooting. As you can see from my profile picture, the glasses meet no resistance when I enact this motion.

 

[Mark Garfinkel]

I had my cataract surgery done 7 years ago at age 65 first in October and 4 weeks later in November. for the left eye. My cataract were at 8%, and I was have trouble in dark equipment rooms and night driving. I chose the symphony toric lens, and I have moderate astigmatism in both eyes, the left worst than the right. Two years ago I had a laser clean-up on the right eye which is normal, I just had my annual checkup last week and still reading at 20-10 with no glasses or readers. I did two to three months worth of research before I made my decision with no regrets to this day. I've posted in the past on this topic and please lookup my previous posts. My total cost was around $4,000 per eye, Every time I read at 20/10 my doctor tells to stop showing off.

 

[IainD]

I had my cataracts done and decided to have both eyes set for distance and to wear multifocal glasses at all times to cover near and middle distances. I was concerned I may not like the sensation of different focus in each eye. I am happy to wear glasses as I use my Z9, D850 and D5. No issues at all.

 

[Charles Loy]

I got distance on both eyes. I had worn contact lens for 40 years. I had my eye guy set me up with a contact lens for reading. I can use it (usually do in my left eye, it is good in either) or pass. I occasionally pass on using it, example was August 2nd when I rode my Harley 735 miles to the Sturgis Rally. - You will be thrilled you have the cataracts out!

 

[TurtleCat]

I had my eyes done this last May. I opted for eyhance iols both set to far. Everything went great and even though I have some minor astigmatism I can generally go without glasses except for closeup.

In any case I opted to go without glasses when I photograph. I pretty much only use the viewfinder for everything (shooting, menus, playback). It’s been an adjustment but it has been fine. Only takes a little getting used to.

You will see clearer but in many cases you will see a bit more into the blue/ultraviolet spectrum. So expect some adjustment when editing.

 

[Patrick M]

I’m very shortsighted. When I had a detached retina fixed in my right eye, it later developed a cataract and we opted for distance. My left eye remains shortsighted as well, so I have a contact lens to match the right eye. I need glasses to read. Thus the viewfinder is fine for my Z8 but I need reading glasses to read the rear monitor, read books or use a computer. When I eventually develop a cataract in my left eye, I may go for a near sighted lens. I’m left eye dominant.

 

[Drew]

I was nearsighted when the cararacts in my eyes got so bad that I would wake up with blurriness in an eye and my night driving was getting progressively worse/dangerous. We live about 20 miles from Boulder, CO in the mountains. The main access road is a twisting 2-lane road with a rock face on the north side and Canyon Creek on the south side (there are guardrails). I was driving up the road one night and the glare from the incoming cars made it one of the worst drives of my life.

I went with the more expensive toric (?) lens in the hope that I wouldn't need glasses (been wearing them for over 55 years). The new lenses didn't work as I hoped, as I still have glasses. Also, needed a followup Lasik on one eye. My distance vision is better than 20/20, but I needed a prescription for reading. Ended up getting a quasi-bifocal; prescription on the bottom of the glasses for reading, clear on top for distance. I haven't had any problems operating my cameras with either the diopter or LCD/EVF.

If given a redo, I wouldn't go with the more expensive lenses; just correct for distance and use the glasses I ended up with.

It didn't seem long to adjust to my "new" eyes. I did notice after the first eye was done, that colors in the corrected eye seemed more vibrant and brighter. Only drawback is that I can't blame my eyes for the out-of-focus photos I still manage to take.

Later edit:
I have been a member of this site for a few years; wish I had searched this forum before deciding on my options for my surgery. Lots of good information that an ophthalmologist can't supply.

 

[Drew]

Both of my eyes were done last year. My vision has improved a lot, and that makes me a safer driver. That is the most important thing.

I know a friend who had one eye done for near and one for far. My doc advised against that, and both were done for far. Now I have excellent distant vision and can legally drive without glasses. But the acuity is even better with glasses, so I always drive with glasses. I think I'm a safer driver now.

But of course I also need to be able to see near. For that I got bifocals with an ADD of 2.50. That gets me clear vision for very near distances, around a foot.

But those bifocals were not satisfactory for driving, because the instrument panel is at about 2 ft. So I got bifocals especially for the car - clear for night driving, and sunglasses for day. They work really well. Everything is sharp and I hardly notice what part of my glasses I'm using.

I also had prescription readers made for the intermediate distance. They are single focus and are for computer work and for reading music when I'm playing in the band.

All these glasses were ordered online with me calculating the prescriptions based on the prescription from the optometrist.

Now about photography. For distant subjects I just use the upper (normal) part of my regular bifocals and they work great with the camera viewfinder and with viewing the subjects. I can do settings on the LCD with the lower parts of the lenses, or in the viewfinder with the upper parts. I can use the same glasses for macro shooting. Camera use is as before, but they are not great for spotting subjects. So for bugs I usually use the computer/music glasses. I have to change the diopter on the camera when I do that. Those glasses hinder distant vision, but I can just take them off and get good distant vision if need be.

So by doing online shopping for glasses and doing some calculations and testing, I'm able to custom-make glasses as needed for specific requirements, for not that much money. It is awkward sometimes switching glasses and determining which is which, but the benefit is having sharper vision than I have had for many years.

Can you expand on getting prescription readers for intermediate distance? After my surgery, I find that there is sometimes to be a gap between my 20/20 distance vision and my near with reading glasses, a sort of slightly out-of-focus.

 

[TurtleCat]

Can you expand on getting prescription readers for intermediate distance? After my surgery, I find that there is sometimes to be a gap between my 20/20 distance vision and my near with reading glasses, a sort of slightly out-of-focus.

I can offer my experience which may or may not be helpful. I have 20/20 corrected and use prescription readers for closeup. They initially got me some “computer” glasses that are what you are taking about. They have a reader part for closeup and the transition gives you roughly that intermediate distance to about 10 feet.

Personally I couldn’t stand it. In fact I can’t stand any of the progressive prescription glasses so I’m only using my reader one. And for someone who was a lifetime nearsighted person the magnification factor is hard to get used to.

Generally a lot of people adapt to the computer progressive lenses and like them. But some, like me, just don’t get along with them. The downside is that you can’t really tell until you have it in hand. I was fortunate that they redid my computer progressive as readers for free. Made me much happier.

You can find a computer type reader in various drug stores to experiment with. CVS had one that I tried as well. Didn’t like it either.